News Wrap: Biden administration clears way for new border wall construction in Texas

Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other headlines: The president of Mexico criticized a U.S. plan to build new sections of border wall. He called it a — quote — "step backwards."

On Wednesday, the Biden administration formally waived 26 federal laws to allow 20 miles of construction in South Texas, where illegal crossings have surged. At the White House today, President Biden said he still thinks a wall won't work, but he argued Congress gave him no choice.

Joe Biden, President of the United States: The money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get them to re-appropriate, to redirect that money. They didn't. They wouldn't. And, in the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for whatever is appropriated. I can't stop that.

Amna Nawaz:

The Trump administration erected some 450 miles of border barriers. Today, Mr. Trump posted that President Biden should apologize for — quote — "taking so long to get moving."

Meantime, senior administration officials say the Biden administration will resume deporting people to Venezuela if they enter the U.S. illegally. Venezuelan migrants have been arriving at the U.S. Southern border in growing numbers. Deportation flights are expected to begin shortly.

A panel of federal judges has selected a new congressional map in Alabama's long-running fight over redistricting and race. The map creates a second district with a substantial Black population. Republican state lawmakers had submitted their own version, but the judges ruled that it failed to fix racial gerrymandering.

The late Senator Dianne Feinstein was laid to rest today after memorial service in San Francisco. Mourners gathered on the steps of City Hall, where she'd once served as the city's first female mayor. Her fellow Bay Area native Vice President Kamala Harris said Feinstein had a warm, but no-nonsense approach.

Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States: She was a serious and gracious person who welcomed debate and discussion, but always required that it would be well-informed and studied. And I believe that this city, where she started, had a lot to do with that.

Amna Nawaz:

Feinstein died last Friday after serving more than 30 years in the Senate. She was 90 years old.

Exploding drones struck a military graduation ceremony in Syria today, killing at least 80 people and wounding 240. It happened in the central city of Homs, just after the defense minister had left the proceedings. The military blamed unnamed terrorists, but no group claimed responsibility.

In Northeastern India, flash flooding has killed at least 18 people, with nearly 100 still missing. Heavy rainfall across Sikkim state triggered the deluge on Wednesday, stranding thousands of people. The water broke dams and washed away roads. Officials said it's the worst flooding in the region in at least 50 years.

Authorities in Iran are denying they have arrested a woman whose daughter was severely injured in Tehran. That came today, as activists charged the 16-year-old girl was beaten into a coma by morality police for not wearing a hijab. Security footage shows her being pulled unconscious out of a train in Tehran. Activists are demanding to know what happened inside the car.

A year ago, the death of Mahsa Amini in a similar incident sparked nationwide protests.

Norwegian playwright and author Jon Fosse claimed the Nobel Prize in literature today. The announcement said his works focus on human insecurity and anxiety and — quote — "give voice to the unsayable." Fosse has penned 40 plays, as well as novels and children's books.

He spoke from Western Norway.

Jon Fosse, Nobel Prize Winner (through translator):

I stand here and feel a little numb, but, of course, very happy for the great honor. I have been involved in the discussion about the Nobel Prize for 10 years, but I'm used to not getting it. That I got it this year was unexpected.

Amna Nawaz:

Fosse is the first Norwegian to win the literature prize in nearly a century and the fourth overall.

Back in this country, former President Trump moved on two fronts in the battery of court cases facing him. In Washington, his lawyers asked a federal court to dismiss charges that he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. And, in Florida, Mr. Trump asked that his classified documents trial be delayed until after the 2024 election. It's currently set for next May.

And, on Wall Street, stocks were little changed. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 10 points to close at 33119. The Nasdaq fell 16 points and the S&P 500 dropped five.

Still to come on the "NewsHour": The Washington Post's former editor examines journalism in the Trump era; a winner of the Nobel Prize in medicine on how her work helped fight COVID-19; Beatles drummer Ringo Starr discusses his career and his new music; plus much more.